Princess Lapbook

I have been researching about lapbooks over the past weeks. Basically, you create a file folder activity center tailored to your child's interest. The internet has a lot of resources to use and being a teacher, I have a lot too! So I copied some ideas from this lady who created a Cinderella lapbook for her 2 year old and then added more of my own. I made one for Makena and Savannah since they both like princesses. The front is just the cover. When the lapbook is opened there is a book to read called Cinderella's colors and a shape activity to do. (These were copied from the site of one little, two little which I will link on this page later.) On the other side, is a phonics activity where M can match the correct letters together and say their sounds. Below that is princess memory matching game! On the back, I made a phonemic awareness/phonics game for beginning sounds using picture cards and letters. The little markers are "jewels"! (I am honestly not sure how that game will turn out since this is my first one. But I can always adjust it later!) I have shown the lapbook to Makena but told her it is for the airplane so she can't do the activities in it yet. She is very excited! I also paper clipped a few princess coloring sheets to the inside for the plane. I had a lot of fun making this and depending on how she likes it, I may make more!

How many types do you need????

Here is part of our travel list:
three tubes of toothpaste (ours, B, and M)
two types of conditioner
three types of shampoo
two types of bodywash
three types of lotion
two types of sunscreen
two different blankets

The list goes on and on and on. We are not a "one type fits all" family! :)

39 years!

My parents were married 39 years ago today! WOW!!! Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad!! We love you!!!!

Covered from head to toe!

Today was the perfect day to go to the beach! We packed up our blanket, umbrella, towels, sand toys, lunch, and headed to Newport! The kids had so much fun playing in the ocean and sand. Makena and Ryan braved the chilly water and splashed in the waves for hours. Brody rolled in the sand and made friends with everyone around us. He would waddle up to them and smile and immediately become friends. It was so cute! At times, he layed on his tummy and moved his arms in a paddling motion; future surfer??? We met a really nice couple and their son who happened to be from our same city! The boy was 17 and was in a car accident 10 years ago. He has a brain injury and lacks many motor skills. This boy was so friendly and played with the kids. It was neat. He told me,"I am 17 but do you know why I play with sand toys?" I said," why?" He replied, " I was hit by a truck when I was on my bike so I play with the toys because I can't walk good." He then told me about his sister and other things. I really enjoyed talking to him and his parents. Makena eventually came out of the waves and decided to make sand angels! :) Picture making a snow angel just with sand. She was covered from head to toe in sand; actually both kids were covered by this time. Ok, honestly we were all super sandy! We left the beach sandy, happy, and tired!

Brody Pics

My mom got Makena this Elmo when she was little. Makena loved Elmo! On Saturday, Ryan and I were cleaning up Makena's room with her and he asked her if we could keep Elmo is Brody's room now. She willingly agreed and Brody has eagerly claimed Elmo. He loves him too!

I'm going to try this!!

Hi Friends! I just found this activity and it looks so fun! Try it with us and let me know if it works for you!!
(This is copied from someone else's blog.)

Super Foam-erator
In my quest for summer activities to entertain the boys I started reminiscing about a foam making toy I had as a kid. It was sort of shaped like a big plastic lolly pop with terry cloth on one side. You dunked it in water, put a little bubble soap on it and then blew into a tube. It didn’t make regular soap bubbles, it made long foamy snakes. I remember how much I played with that thing and knew my boys would enjoy a toy like that. I really wanted to find one!

My usual Google search yielded no results…I don’t even know what that toy was called and I don’t think it was particularly popular at the time. So, I decided to try to make one, but I wasn’t sure where to begin. Finally after a few brainstorms, I came up with a super easy way to make your own! It doesn’t look anything like my childhood toy, but it works great!

Materials:
Plastic water bottle, empty
Scrap of terry cloth, such as an old wash cloth
Rubber band
Xacto knife
Bubble or dish soap
Small plate or flat lid

1) Using an Xacto knife, carefully cut the bottom off of a small water bottle.
2) Cover the bottom opening with a scrap of terry cloth and secure tightly with a rubber band.
3) Dampen terry cloth with a little water

4) Pour bubble or dish soap onto a plate and dip terry cloth end into soap.
5) Blow gently into top of bottle — have fun!

My kids had a blast with this outside, but it’d probably be fun in the bathtub as well. They decorated all of the outdoor furniture with foam and gave each other foam “hairstyles”. When you're all done playing, hose everything and every body off!

(***BTW, shop update today!***)

Guess what I saw?????

Stir up pants! Yes...think back to third grade...they are back in...I saw them at Express as I was passing by. I will not wear stir up pants again! :)

AMAZING PRODUCTS!!!!!!!

I am a avid user of Mary Kay products and have been for many years. In college, my roommates would tease me about my "five step process" each day. However, many years later, they are now all taking great care of their skin and now see the benefits! We all know the benefits of good skincare and the importance of protecting it. My whole family (ryan, kids, sisters, parents, mother-in-law, neice,...)all use MK products to keep their skin healthy and beautiful. Now I am huge advocate of their products but wanted to let all of you moms out there know that if you have a child with sensitive skin...the MK sunscreen is a must! It is the only sunscreen B can use and my friend's son Jake. They both have highly sensitive skin. It is wonderful! The miracle set does wonders for everyone! So, if you want to know more about the products or just have fun playing with colors check out the following websites:
http://www.marykay.com/lhelmer (Currently she has free shipping on online orders!!!)
http://www.marykay.com/angelahelmer